Security top or guard for infant{40 s dressing table or the like

ABSTRACT

A top or guard for an infant&#39;&#39;s dressing table or dresserette is provided which is so designed and constructed as to reduce or minimize the possibility of the infant rolling or falling off the table. The top is of such construction that it can be shortened to conform in dimensions or area with the table or dresserette when folded or closed. It comprises sections, one of which is telescopically movable in relation to the other, with the sections provided with means for limiting movement of one section relatively to the other. Other features include track means for maintaining the sections in alignment during movement relatively to each other, and safety belt means secured to one of the sections.

United States Patet n 1 Blazey et al.

[111 3,777,673 1 Dec. 11, 1973 SECURITY TOP OR GUARD FOR INFANTSDRESSING TABLE OR THE LIKE [75] Inventors: Lawrence Blazey, Bay Village;

David Silverstrom, Lyndhurst; Elmer Rocker, Shaker Heights, all

of Ohio [73] Assignee: Century Products, Inc., Cleveland,

Ohio

[22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 236,836

[52] [1.5. CI. 108/27, 5/99 B, 108/111, 312/140:3, 312/209, 312/237,312/249 [51] Int. Cl. A471) 17/00, A47b 57/00 [58] Field of Search312/201, 202, 203,

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS I 1,783,712 12/1930Hernandez 312/228 2,696,246 12/1954 Putnam Shaw 312/201 1,588,771 6/1926Richardson. 312/201 3,188,157 6/1965 Rand 312/202 3,313,584 4/1967Rocker 312/201 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 108,563 9/1939 Australia108/93 Primary Examiner.lames T. McCall Attorney lsler and Ornstein 57ABSTRACT A top or guard for an infants dressing table or dresserette isprovided which is so designed and constructed as to reduce or minimizethe possibility of the 7 infant rolling or falling off the table. Thetop is of such construction that it can be shortened to conform in 1dimensions or area with the table or dresserette when folded or closed.It comprises sections, one of which is telescopically movable inrelation to the other, with the sections provided with means forlimiting movement of one section relatively to the other. Other featuresinclude track means for maintaining the sections in alignment duringmovement relatively to each 7 other, and safety belt means secured toone of the sec- .tions. I

v Claims, l0 Drawing Figures SECURITY TOP R GUARD FOR INFANTS DRESSINGTABLE OR THE LIKE This invention relates generally to dressing tablesfor infants, but has reference more particularly to a top for suchtables.

The invention will be described more particularly with reference to adressing table of the foldable type,

although it may be used with other types of infants dressing tables.

In Rocker U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,584, an infants dressing table of thefoldable type is disclosed, provided with a top which is adapted tosupport the infant during dressing and undressing of the infant, andwith drawers disposed below the tabletop, some of which drawers aremovable into superimposed or tier-like relationship with other drawers,when the table is folded or closed.

Although the table top is disclosed in said patent as being providedwith a strap which is adapted for securing the infant to the top duringthe dressing and undressing of the infant, there is always thepossibility, either through failure to secure the strap to the infant,or if the strap is only loosely secured in place, or if the strap hasnot been secured in place and the infant is left unattended, that theinfant can roll or fall off the table top, with resultant serious injuryto the infant.

The present invention has, as its primary object, the provision of a topfor such dressing tables, which is of such construction as to reduce orminimize the possibility of the infant rolling or falling off the top ofthe table.

Another object of the invention is to provide a top of the characterdescribed, which can be shortened to a length such that when thedressing table is not in use and is folded or closed, the top willconform in dimensions to the dimensions of the folded or closed table.

A further object of the invention is to provide a top of the characterdescribed, comprising sections movable relatively to each other toextend the top, and embodying means for limiting such extension.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infants dressing table, inopen orunfolded condition, and showing the table top in extended position, andwith a removable protective or-cushioning pad thereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the table in closed or folded condition,and showing the table top in its collapsed or closed position, after thecushioning pad has been removed;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the table top in its extended position orcondition, without the cushioning P FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view,taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 7-7 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 9-9 ofFIG. 3, and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 10-10of FIG. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the table, without the top,is of a construction similar to that shown in the aforesaid Rockerpatent, and may be briefly described as follows:

The top of the dressing table comprises two sections, one a stationarysection, designated generally by reference numeral 40, and the other asection longitudinally slidable relatively to the section 40, anddesignated generally by reference numeral 41.

Each of the sections 40 and 41 is molded, in one piece, of a plastic,such, for example, as high impact styrene.

The dressing table comprises a pair of long tubular end legs 1 and 2, asecond pair of tubular end legs 3 and 4, a short intermediate leg 5, anda long intermediate leg 6. The end legs 1, 2, 3 and 4, and theintermediate leg 6, are flared outwardly at their lower ends forpurposes of stability and attractiveness of appearance, and these flaredportions as well as the lower end of the leg 5 terminate in ball-shapedelements 7 which facilitate movement of the dressing table along afloor. For this purpose, coasters, glides, casters and the like may beused.

Secured to the legs 1 and 2, in the manner described in the aforesaidRocker patent, is a pair of verticallyspaced drawers or bins 9, each ofwhich is preferably molded, in a single piece, from a plastic, such aspolyethylene or polypropylene.

The intermediate leg 5 of the dressing table extends upwardly to a leveljust below the upper edge of the lower drawer or bin 9, and is securedto the side of this drawer by means of sheet metal screws (not shown).

The intermediate leg 6 of the dressing table extends through tubularcorners 22 of the drawers 9, and is locked against vertical movementrelatively to these drawers by means ofa sheet metal screw which extendsthrough the tubular corner 22 of the lower of the drawers 9 and into theleg 6, as described in the aforesaid patent.

The dressing table further includes a pair of vertically-spaced drawersor bins, in staggered and overlapping relationship to the drawers 9, andwhich are designated generally by reference numeral 31. Each of thesedrawers 31 is preferably of a construction and material identical withthe drawers 9.

The drawers 31 are secured to the legs 3 and 4 of the dressing table inthe same manner that the drawers 9 are secured to the legs l and 2.

Each of the drawers 31 is molded at its rear left corner, as viewed inFIG. 1, to provide a tubular corner (not shown) through which the leg 6extends.

With the drawers 31 and 9 assembled in the manner shown in FIG. 1, thedrawers 31 rest on the drawers 9, and the portion of the tablecomprising the drawers 31 and the legs 3 and 4 may be swung horizontallyabout the leg 6 to the closed position shown in FIG. 2.

- The section 40 is'molded to provide a flat base 42 having spacedrectangular openings 43 which serve to lighten the weight of thesection, a pair of transversely spaced parallel grooves or tracks 44 and45 which serve a purpose to be presently described, and a pair oftransversely spaced depending strengthening ribs 46 and 47 (see FIG. 5),which are substantially parallel with the grooves or tracks 44 and 45.

The section 40 also includes a flange which extends from the peripheryof the base 42, at one end of the base, and the two sides of the base,as seen in FIG. 3. The flange, as best seen in FIG. 7, comprises aninner wall 48 which extends upwardly from the base and is inclinedoutwardly, a substantially flat crest portion 49 which lies in a planeparallel with the base 42, and an outer wall designated generally byreference numeral 50 which extends downwardly from the outer edge of theportion 49, is inclined outwardly and consists of portions 50a, 50b and50c which lie in planes offset from each other, whereby to strengthenthe outer wall 50.

The flange 48-49-50 is closed at that end of the flange adjacent thelegs and 6 by end walls 51 (see FIG. 8).

The portions of the flange which lie adjacent the sides of the base 42are interrupted to provide recesses 53 and 54, which serve a purpose tobe presently described.

The portions 500 of the flange 50 are provided adjacent the end walls 51with embossments 55 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), which serve as abutments orstops in a manner to be presently described.

The base 42 is also provided with depending bosses 57 (FIG. which aresecured, as by screws 58, to the horizontal legs 59 of angles 60, thevertical legs 61 of which are secured, as by screws 62, to the upperends of the legs 1 and 2.

The base 42 is further provided with a depending boss (not seen) whichis secured to the upper end of the leg 6 of the table in a mannersimilar to that shown in FIG. 11 of the aforesaid Rocker patent.

The movable section 41 of the table top is molded to provide a flat base64 having spaced rectangular openings 65 which serve to lighten theweight of the section, a pair of transversely spaced parallel dependingribs 66 and 67 (FIG. 6), which serve a purpose to be presentlydescribed, and a pair of transversely spaced upstanding strengtheningribs 68 and 69, which are substantially parallel with the ribs 66 and67.

The section 41 also includes a flange which extends from the peripheryof the base 64, at one end of the base and the two sides of the base, asseen in FIG. 3. The flange, as best seen in FIG. 7, comprises an innerwall 70, which extends upwardly from the base and is inclined outwardly,a substantially flat crest portion 71, which lies in a plane parallelwith the base 64, and an outer wall designated generally by referencenumeral 72, which extends downwardly from the outer edge of the portion71, is inclined outwardly, and consists of portions 72a, 72b and 72cwhich lie in planes offset from each other, whereby to strengthen theouter wall The portion 720 of the wall 72 of those portions of theflange which are spaced from the sides of the base 64 is provided at itslower edge with an inturned flange 73 (see FIGS 7 and 8), which, whenthe section 40 of the top is telescopically engaged with the section 41,as shown in FIG. 7, engages the lower edges of the embossments 55 so asto prevent vertical displacement of the section 41 from the section 40of the top.

The portion 720 of the wall 72 is also provided at its left end, asviewed in FIG. 1, with inturned flanges 74 (see FIG. 8), which areadapted to come into abutment with the embossments 55, to therebyprevent removal of the section 41 from the section 40, in a longitudinaldirection.

In assembling the section 41 with the section 40, the section 41 isplaced over the section 40 in a position slightly to the left of thatshown in FIG. 3, and the flange -71-72 pressed downwardly over theflange 48-49-50. This causes the flange 7071-72 to spread slightly, andthen contract to bring the flange 73 under the embossment 55, as shownin FIGS. 7 and 8.

At the same time, the ribs 66 and 67 are forced into the grooves ortracks 44 and 45, thereby assuring that the section 41 is always inalignment with the section 40, and that the section 41 will always slideeasily with respect to the section 40.

The table top is also provided with a safety belt for securing theinfant to the top, or, rather, to an underlying cushion or pad, shown inFIG. I, placed on the top.

This safety belt, which is best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, and ispreferably made ofa plastic, such as vinyl, comprises a tongue section76, which is secured, as by a screw 77, to a boss 78, which depends fromthe bottom of the recess 54, as seen in FIG. 5.

The belt further comprises a section 79, which is secured, as by a screw80, to a boss 81, which depends from the bottom of the recess 53.

The section 79 has a rebent portion 79a which forms a loop for holding abuckle 82, and is heat-sealed to the section 79, as at 79b. The section79 is also provided with an extension 790, to the end of which a secondbuckle 83 is secured.

When the table top is in extended position, as in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5,and it is desired to secure the infant to the top, the tongue section 76of the belt is pulled through the buckle 83, to an extent such that theend of the section 76 is within reach of the buckle 82, but is notsecured to the buckle 82.

The infant is then laid on the portion 790 of the belt, and is securedto this portion of the belt by pulling the end of the section 76 throughthe buckle 82. This holds the infant snugly and safely on the table topor pad.

In order to collapse the table top, that is, to move the section 41 fromthe position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to that shown in FIG. 2, it isnecessary that the two parts of the safety belt be detached from eachother, passed outwardly of the recesses 53 and 54, and permitted to hangfreely from their end supports, so as not to interfere with theaforesaid movement of the section 41. This movement is quickly andeasily effected, since the .section 41 of the top is not, in any manner,connected to the legs 3, 4 and 6 of the dressing table.

With the table top thus collapsed or closed, the legs 3 and 4 of thedressing table, together with the drawers 31 which are supportedthereby, can be swung horizontally from the position shown in FIG. 1 tothat shown in FIG. 2.

It is thus seen that we have provided a top for an infants dressingtable, which is of such construction as to reduce or minimize thepossibility of an infant rolling or falling off the table.

It is further seen that we have provided a top of the characterdescribed, which is especially adapted for use with a table ordresserette which is foldable, since the top can be shortened orcallapsed to a dimension which conforms substantially to the dimensionsof the folded table or dresserette.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention, herewith shownand described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, andthat various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement ofparts thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

1. In combination with an infants dressing table or the like, said tablecomprising a stationary section, and a movable section which ispivotally movable-and nestable into the stationary section, a top forsaid table, said top comprising a substantially flat base and upstandingflanges at the periphery of said base of substantial height and adaptedto prevent an infant on said top from rolling or falling off the top,said top further comprising a stationary section secured to thestationary section of said table and a section slidably movable inrelation to the stationary section of said top when the movable sectionof the table has been nested into the stationary section of the table.

2. The combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein said upstandingflanges which are telescopically movable relatively to each other.

'3. A security top for an infants dressing table or the like, said topcomprising sections having upstanding peripheral flange portions, one ofsaid sections movable relatively to the other to vary the length of saidtop, one of said sections being provided with stop means, and the otherof said sections having means adapted when said other section is movedrelatively to said first section to abut said stop means to limit saidmovement, said first section being provided with track means, and theother of said sections being provided with rib means movable in saidtrack means, said flange portions being of inverted substantiallyV-shaped cross section.

4. A security top, as defined in claim 3, wherein one of said sectionsis provided with inturned flange means engaging portions of the flangeof the other section, whereby to prevent vertical displacement of thefirst section relatively to the other section.

5. A security top, as defined in claim 4, wherein the flanges of saidfirst section are recessed, and safety belt means are provided whichextend through said recesses.

6. A security top, as defined in claim 5, wherein said safety belt meanscomprises a belt section secured to one side of said first-named sectionof the top, and a second belt section secured to the other side of saidfirst-named section of the top and releasably engageable with saidfirst-named belt section.

7. A security top for an infants dressing table or the like, said topcomprising a first section having upstanding peripheral flange portionsof substantial height and of substantially inverted V-shapedcross-section, and a second section slidably movable in relation to saidfirst section and having peripheral flange portions of substantiallyV-shaped cross-section and into which the flanges of the first sectionare telescopically movable when the second section is moved relativelyto the first section.

8. In combination with an infants dressing table or the like, comprisinga stationary section and a movable section which is nestable into thestationary section, a top for said table comprising a stationary sectionsecured to the stationary section of said table and a section slidablymovable in relation to the stationary section of said top when themovable section of the table has been nested into the stationary sectionof said table, said stationary top section including peripheral edgeswith upstanding flanges of substantial height, and said movable topsection is provided at peripheral edges thereof with upstanding flangesinto which the flanges of the movable top sections are telescopicallymovable when the movable section of the table has been nested into thestationary section of the table.

1. In combination with an infant''s dressing table or the like, saidtable comprising a stationary section, and a movable section which ispivotally movable and nestable into the stationary section, a top forsaid table, said top comprising a substantially flat base and upstandingflanges at the periphery of said base of substantial height and adaptedto prevent an infant on said top from rolling or falling off the top,said top further comprising a stationary section secured to thestationary section of said table and a section slidably movable inrelation to the stationary section of said top when the movable sectionof the table has been nested into the stationary section of the table.2. The combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein said upstandingflanges which are telescopically movable relatively to each other.
 3. Asecurity top for an infant''s dressIng table or the like, said topcomprising sections having upstanding peripheral flange portions, one ofsaid sections movable relatively to the other to vary the length of saidtop, one of said sections being provided with stop means, and the otherof said sections having means adapted when said other section is movedrelatively to said first section to abut said stop means to limit saidmovement, said first section being provided with track means, and theother of said sections being provided with rib means movable in saidtrack means, said flange portions being of inverted substantiallyV-shaped cross section.
 4. A security top, as defined in claim 3,wherein one of said sections is provided with inturned flange meansengaging portions of the flange of the other section, whereby to preventvertical displacement of the first section relatively to the othersection.
 5. A security top, as defined in claim 4, wherein the flangesof said first section are recessed, and safety belt means are providedwhich extend through said recesses.
 6. A security top, as defined inclaim 5, wherein said safety belt means comprises a belt section securedto one side of said first-named section of the top, and a second beltsection secured to the other side of said first-named section of the topand releasably engageable with said first-named belt section.
 7. Asecurity top for an infant''s dressing table or the like, said topcomprising a first section having upstanding peripheral flange portionsof substantial height and of substantially inverted V-shapedcross-section, and a second section slidably movable in relation to saidfirst section and having peripheral flange portions of substantiallyV-shaped cross-section and into which the flanges of the first sectionare telescopically movable when the second section is moved relativelyto the first section.
 8. In combination with an infant''s dressing tableor the like, comprising a stationary section and a movable section whichis nestable into the stationary section, a top for said table comprisinga stationary section secured to the stationary section of said table anda section slidably movable in relation to the stationary section of saidtop when the movable section of the table has been nested into thestationary section of said table, said stationary top section includingperipheral edges with upstanding flanges of substantial height, and saidmovable top section is provided at peripheral edges thereof withupstanding flanges into which the flanges of the movable top sectionsare telescopically movable when the movable section of the table hasbeen nested into the stationary section of the table.